So much has happened this year! Now, I'm not the type that subscribes to the idea that a new year has to mean "new beginnings" or a "new you". I think new beginnings can happen whenever you want them to! But... it is still nice to reflect on all that has happened over the lat 365 days.
The year started with my fiancé (now husband) moving in the first of the year. He joined me and my roommate Stefana for a very "Three's Company"-esque living situation. It was a good way for all of us to save a little money (splitting bill three ways is a lot better than splitting them two ways). And it was a good way to make sure Sam and I could stand living with each other. Haha.
Also in January I noticed my dog acting funny. He had been putting on a lot of weight quickly and just seemed lethargic. I took him to the vet and they didn't seem to be too concerned. Then, one morning a couple weeks later I went to give him his usual "bye bye treat" that I give to him when I go to work and it was like he couldn't see the treat right in front of his face, he just sniffed around for it. Something was definitely wrong. I took him back into the vet and they confirmed what I had suspected. He was blind. Not just a little blind, completely blind. Basically overnight. The research that I did all pointed to SARDS (Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration). Beamer fell right into most of the categories of the classic SARDS cases. We took him to a specialist and they told me there was really nothing I can do. The truth is that I took him going blind a lot harder than he did. He's a resilient little guy and it really didn't' seem to affect him too much. After noticing a few other changes in his behavior we decided to also get him tested for Cushing's Disease which shares a lot of the same characteristics of SARDS. Turns out, he also has Cushing's Disease which is an increase in cortisone due to a benign tumor in the pituitary gland and has to be on lifelong medication to combat it. Along with the medication, he has to have constant testing and monitoring of his levels to make sure he is being properly medicated so, that has been a struggle but it has become our "normal".
I turned another (undisclosed) year old and had a little shin-dig to celebrate, complete with a DIY photobooth of course.
I also spent the weekend at the Riot LA comedy festival with some girl friends for my birthday.
In February my mom and I had our first ever girls trip and we went up to Seattle for a cousins wedding. It was such a fun weekend.
In March Sam and I relived our youth and saw The Used along with Taking Back Sunday at the Palladium.
I also found my wedding dress :)
In April we celebrated Sams birthday by spending a weekend in a cabin in Idyllwild (where we also took our engagement photos).
We also spent another year at Stagecoach (and his mom and her best friend joined us!)
I attended the wedding of one of my oldest friends, Andy.
Watched my little cousin graduate high school and helped her move into her college dorm!
My mom and I had another mother daughter trip, this time to Denver for my aunts wedding!
Had a wonderful bachelorette party.
Attended yet another wedding (thats four if you're keeping track) for our friends Ashley and Andrew.
My wonderful Mother in Law threw me the most perfect bridal shower.
Followed by an equally perfect shower thrown by my best friend and maid of honor Danica.
And in the midst of wedding planning, Danica and I also planned our 10 year high school reunion. I know what you're thinking, we aren't nearly old enough to have graduated high school ten years ago, and you would be right ;) (Or so I'd like to think.)
And then... the event of the year (at least for me)... I got married!
And then I finished the year by celebrating the holidays with the ones I care about most.
All in all it was a wonderful year, full of crazy highs and some lows but I feel that it's the lows that really make you appreciate the highs. Looking forward to a new year with a new last name and a husband! :)
